Novel packaging system for produce

ABSTRACT

A packaging system for strawberries includes a box having a tray and two short sidewalls and two long sidewalls extending from the tray to form a cavity. The two short sidewalls have a plurality of slots that open up to the cavity. Containers are disposed within the cavity. Each container has a top lid, a base portion, and a hinged spine connecting the top lid to the base portion. The top lid and the base portion include a plurality of recessed vents, and the top lid and the base portion are configured to be removably attached to one another by a coupling mechanism, in which the top lid and the base portion form windows to allow air therethough while removably attached. The recessed vents of and the windows are configured to align with the slots in the two short sidewalls of the box to improve a precooling process of strawberries.

FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to packagingsystems. In particular, embodiments of the present disclosure relate toa packaging system for containing, storing, displaying, and shippingproduce items, such as strawberries.

BACKGROUND

An important part of a well-balanced diet comprises the consumption offresh fruits and vegetables. Despite highly advanced storage andtransportation systems, the delivery of superior quality agriculturalproduce still remains a challenge. Often times, the process ofharvesting a fruit (or vegetable) from its initial growing location, andsafe delivery of the fruit (or vegetable) to its destination encompassesthousands of miles, and includes journeys that traverse many climatesand difficult terrain. The negative consequences of such challengingtransport are particularly pronounced when the produce being transportedconsists of soft or delicate fruit such as berries, cherries, plums,peaches, apricots, grapes and other fruit that can be easily bruised.Often times, farmers are forced to picked fruit early, so that it isharder, and more likely to make it to its destination intact. Byprematurely harvesting fruits and vegetables, and depriving them of theopportunity to ripen while still growing, flavor and taste arecompromised.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a new and improved packagingsystem that can be used in containing, shipping, transporting, andstoring in a cooled environment produce items that easily can be damagedand/or bruised, such as strawberries. There is a further need in the artfor a new and improved packaging system that allow for more rapid anduniform cooling after harvest to remove field and product heat, slowingrespiration and providing a longer shelf life.

SUMMARY

A packaging system for produce is described. The packaging system isuseful for all types of produce and especially useful for soft fruitincluding but not limited to berries, cherries, plums, peaches,apricots, grapes and other fruit that can be easily bruised. For someembodiments, the packaging system is particular useful for strawberries.Exemplary embodiments are provided with reference to strawberries;however, the skilled artisan will readily understand and appreciate thatthe packaging system can be useful for all types of produce.

The packaging system for strawberries, comprises: a box having a trayand two short sidewalls and two long sidewalls extending from aperimeter of the tray to form a cavity, the two short sidewalls having aplurality of slots that open up to the cavity; a plurality of containersconfigured to be disposed within the cavity, each container having a toplid, a base portion, and a hinged spine connecting the top lid to thebase portion, the top lid includes a plurality of recessed vents, thebase portion includes a plurality of recessed vents, the top lid and thebase portion are configured to be removably attached to one another by acoupling mechanism, in which the top lid and the base portion formwindows to allow air therethough while removably attached; the recessedvents of the base portion and the top lid and the windows are configuredto align with the plurality of slots in the two short sidewalls of thebox to improve a precooling process of strawberries.

For some embodiments, the base portion can include a bottom, fourbeveled edges extending therefrom, and two short sidewalls and two longsidewalls extending from the beveled edges to form a compartment in thebase portion to place strawberries therein.

For some embodiments, the recessed vents can be disposed on the bevelededges of the base portion.

For some embodiments, the beveled edges of the base portion can includetwo short beveled edges and two long beveled edges.

For some embodiments, the short beveled edges of the base portion caninclude two to four recessed vents and the long beveled edges caninclude six to ten recessed vents.

For some embodiments, the top lid can include a cover and four bevelededges extending therefrom.

For some embodiments, the beveled edges of the top lid can include twoshort beveled edges and two long beveled edges.

For some embodiments, the short beveled edges of the top lid can includetwo to four recessed vents and the long beveled edges include six to tenrecessed vents.

For some embodiments, the cover can be rectangular in shape and have avent hole disposed at each corner of the cover.

For some embodiments, the cover can include a protrusion at each cornerof the cover configured to align with an outer perimeter of the raisedbed of the base portion of a second container.

For some embodiments, the coupling mechanism can include button locks.

For some embodiments, the male button locks can be disposed on aninterior surface of the top lid and female button locks configured tocorrespond with the male button locks can be disposed on an uppersurface of the base portion

For some embodiments, the upper surface of the base portion can furtherinclude a plurality of edge support bars configured to be placed intocontact with the interior surface of the top lid when the top lid isremovably attached to the bottom portion forming the windows between thetop lid and the base portion.

For some embodiments, one of the edge support bars can be centrallydisposed on three of the side walls of the base portion

For some embodiments, two additional edge support bars can be disposedon opposite ends of the spine

For some embodiments, the box can include a first layer of four adjacentcontainers and a second layer of four adjacent containers stackedthereon.

For some embodiments, the plurality of slots disposed on the short sidewalls of the box can be disposed in three rows: an upper row includestwo slots separated by a tab, the upper row configured to align with thewindows and vents of the second layer of containers, a middle rowincludes two slots, the middle row configured to align with the windowsand/or vents of the first and second layer of containers, and a lowerrow includes two slots, the lower row configured to align with the ventsof the first layer of containers.

For some embodiments, the packaging system can include a plurality ofthe boxes stacked on one another.

For some embodiments, each of the plurality of boxes stacked on oneanother can include a first layer of four adjacent containers and asecond layer of four adjacent containers stacked thereon.

Other features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosurewill be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detaileddescription that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated by way of exampleand not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in whichlike references indicate similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a container in an open stateaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the container according to someembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the container in a closed stateaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of two containers stacked on one anotheraccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a box according to someembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the box according to some embodimentsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a plurality of boxes stackedtogether according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A packaging system 10 for produce is described. The packaging system isuseful for all types of produce and especially useful for soft fruitincluding but not limited to berries, cherries, plums, peaches,apricots, grapes and other fruit that can be easily bruised. For someembodiments, the packaging system is particular useful for strawberries.Exemplary embodiments are provided with reference to strawberries;however, the skilled artisan will readily understand and appreciate thatthe packaging system can be useful for all types of produce.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a container 11 is provided. The container 11 ispreferably a clamshell container comprising a top lid 12, a base portion13 and a hinged spine 14 configured to connect the top lid 12 to thebase portion 13. Due to its novel features, the container 11 allows forthe transport of strawberries of other soft, fragile, and vulnerableproduce items that can easily be damaged or bruised during shipping,transportation, and storage, while at the same time keeps thestrawberries and other produce items cool and fresh duringtransportation.

The base portion 13 includes a bottom 36 and four beveled edges 15 thatextend from the perimeter of the bottom 36. Sidewalls 16 extend from thebeveled edges 15 to form a compartment 15 in the base portion 13 toplace strawberries and other produce items. The bottom 36 includes araised bed 37, which helps prevent and/or minimize bruising of thestrawberries and other produce items. The beveled edges 15 includes aplurality of recessed vents 17, which makes it possible to increase thecooling air that travels into the container 11 and improve the coolingmechanism. The recessed vents 17 of the base portion 13 further ensurethat condensation and moisture do not build up within the container 11and any produced water can freely drain through the recessed vents 17.

In some embodiments, the bottom 36, beveled edges 15, and sidewalls 16form a generally rectangular compartment. The beveled edges 15 includetwo short beveled edges 18 and two long beveled edges 19. The shortbeveled edges 21 can include two to four recessed vents 17 and the longbeveled edges 19 can include six to ten recessed vents 17. Preferably,the two short beveled edges 18 each include three recessed vents 17 andthe long beveled edges 19 each include eight recessed vents 17. Therecessed vents 17 preferably are in the shape of a slot configured tohave an overall elongated oval or rectangular shape. The recessed vents17 are positioned on the beveled edges 15 so that they do not contactthe container contents, which may cause the contents to be sliced, cut,and/or bruised.

The top lid 12 also includes four beveled edges 20, preferably two shortbeveled edges 21 and two long beveled edges 22. The beveled edges 20 areintegral with a cover 23. The cover 23 is preferably flat to allow forstacking of multiple containers 11. In some embodiments, the shortbeveled edges 21 can include two to four recessed vents 17 and the longbeveled edges 22 can include six to ten recessed vents 17. Preferably,the two short beveled edges 21 each include three recessed vents 17 andthe long beveled edges 22 each include eight recessed vents 17. Therecessed vents 17 makes it possible to increase the cooling air thattravels into the container 11 and improve the cooling mechanism. Inaddition, the recessed vents 17 are positioned on the beveled edges 20so that they do not contact the container contents, which may cause thecontents to be sliced, cut, and/or bruised. The recessed vents 17 of thetop lid 12 further ensure that condensation and moisture do not build upwithin the container 11.

Preferably, the cover 23 is rectangular in shape and includes fourcorners 24. The cover 23 can include a plurality of vent holes 25. Insome embodiments, the cover 23 includes a vent hole 25 disposed in thevicinity of the corners 25 of the cover 23. The vent holes 25 of thecover 23 further ensure that condensation and moisture do not build upwithin the container 11. In some embodiments, the cover 23 can furtherinclude protrusions 26. The protrusions 26 align with the outerperimeter 26 of the raised bed 37 of the base portion 13 of a secondcontainer, which allows for the second container to be stacked on thecontainer 11 more securely. As shown in FIG. 4, a second container 27 isstacked on the container 11 according to some embodiments of thedisclosure.

In some embodiments, the top lid 12 is removably attached to the baseportion 13 by button locks 28. For some embodiments, male button locks29 are disposed on an interior surface 30 of the top lid 12. Preferably,two male button locks 29 can be disposed at the far corners 31 of theinterior surface 30 away from the spine 14 that pivotably attaches thetop lid 12 to the base portion 13.

An upper surface 32 of the base portion 13 can include female buttonlocks 33 configured to correspond with the male button locks 29.Preferably, two female button locks 33 can be disposed at the farcorners 34 of the upper surface 32 of the base portion 13 away from thespine 14 that pivotably attaches the top lid 12 to the base portion 13.

The upper surface 33 of the base portion 13 can further include edgesupport bars 35. The edge support bars 35 are configured to be placedinto contact with the interior surface 30 of the top lid 12 when the toplid 12 is removably attached to the bottom portion 13 in a closed state.By being placed into contact with the interior surface 30 of the top lid12, the container can include windows 38 between the top lid 12 and thebase portion 13 in the closed state. The windows 38 allow for flow ofcontinuous cooling air providing an efficient cooling effect to theproduce items within the container 11, such as strawberries. The windows38 further ensure that condensation and moisture do not build up withinthe container 11

Preferably, the upper surface 33 includes three edge support bars 35that extend along the side walls 16 of the base portion 13. That is,there is one edge support bar 35 on the upper surface 33 extending alongeach side wall 16 of the base portion 13, except for the side wall 16that extends along the spine 14. As seen in FIGS. 1-3, the edge supportbars 35 are in a central position along each sidewall 16. For someembodiments, the upper surface further includes two edge support bars35, in which the two edge support bars 35 are positioned adjacent to thespine 14 and on opposite ends of the spine 14.

Though not wishing to be bound by the following theory, specializedventing as discussed in the present disclosure enables optimization ofair flow and evaporation of moisture, as well as reduction ofcondensation and respiration. The containers 11 also minimize contactbetween individual so that that the occurrence of bruising, squashing,and other damage is limited.

In some embodiments, the container 11 is a 16 oz. container for 12-18strawberries provided in one layer. Consumers gain a greater level ofconfidence in purchasing the strawberries contained in the container 11over conventional containers because they can see every strawberry inthe container 11. Conventional containers for most fruits includingstrawberries do not permit consumers to view each individual fruit androtting and/or bruised fruits are embedded in the middle and hidden fromview

In an open state (where the top lid 12 is not attached to the baseportion 13), the container 11 can form a rectangular shape having adimension of 10.91 inches by 9.35 inches. In a closed state (where thetop lid 12 is attached to the base portion 13), the container 11 canhave an internal height of 1.73 inches. The vents 11 can have a lengthof 0.44 inches and a width of 0.19 inches. The windows 38 can have anopening of 0.22 inches between the top lid 12 and the base portion 13.For some embodiments, two containers 11 that are stacked on one anotherwould have an overall stack height of 3.92 inches.

The skilled artisan will readily understand and appreciate that thementioned sizes of the dimension of the individual containers are notsolely limited to these values, as they are merely shown as examples ofan embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the container 11 can alsohave longer or shorter longitudinal lengths, as well as longer orshorter widths, as long as the key structure features are preserved. Thecontainer can also be heavier or lighter than 16 oz.

As best seen in FIGS. 5-6, the packaging system 10 further includes abox 50. The box 50 includes a tray 51 and four sidewalls 54 extendingfrom the perimeter of the tray 51 to form a cavity 52. The box 50, tray51, and cavity 52 are preferably rectangular in shape. The cavity 52 isconfigured to receive and store eight containers 11. The containers 11are preferably positioned such that there is a first layer of fourcontainers 11 placed on the tray 51 and a second layer of fourcontainers 11 that is stacked on the first layer of four containers 11.

To prevent any potential bruising of the produce items contained in thecontainers 11, the box 50 is configured to store the containers 11within the cavity 52 such that the containers 11 are flush against theinner walls 53 of the box 50 forming the cavity 52. In this way, thereis minimal movement of the containers 11 during transport of the produceitems.

In some embodiments, the four sidewalls 54 include two short sidewalls55 and two long sidewalls 56. The short side walls 55 include aplurality of slots 57. Preferably, the slots 57 are configured such thatthere is an upper row 58 of slots 57, a middle row 59 of slots 57, and alower row 60 of slots 57. More preferably, the slots 57 are centrallylocated on the two short side walls 55. The upper row 58 preferably hastwo slots 57 separated by a tab 61. Such configuration aligns thewindows 38 and vents 17 of the upper layer of containers 11 with theslots 57 for improved sheetline venting. In addition, the configurationwith two slots 57 separated by a tab 61 streamlines cooling air thattravels into the container 11 and improves the cooling mechanism duringa precooling process.

The middle row 59 preferably also has two slots 57. The middle row 59 ofslots 57 align with the windows 38 and vents 17 of the lower layer ofcontainers and the recessed vents 17 of the base portion 13 of thecontainers 11 of an upper layer stacked on the lower layer ofcontainers. Such configuration aligns the windows 38 and/or vents 17 ofthe upper and lower layers of containers with the slots 57 of the box 50for improved sheetline venting. The middle row 59 of two slots 57 alsostreamlines cooling air that travels into the container 11 and improvesthe cooling mechanism during a precooling process.

The lower row 60 preferably has two slots 57. The lower row 60 of slots57 align with the recessed vents 17 of the base portion 13 of thecontainers 11 of the lower layer of containers llfor improved sheetlineventing. This configuration further streamlines cooling air that travelsinto the container 11 and improves the cooling mechanism during aprecooling process.

As best seen in FIG. 7, the boxes 50 can be stacked on one another forprecooling, storing, shipping, and transporting the produce itemstherein. The packaging system 10 allows for the stabilization ofstrawberries making it more suitable for transit across long distancesand over extended periods of time. The packaging system 10 also allowsfor a much faster precooling process compared to conventional packagingsystems for strawberries. For, the packaging system 10 allows for theprecooling process to be performed in 45 minutes. In sharp contrast, theprecooling process for strawberries that are packaged with conventionalpackaging systems take two to three hours to complete. Relative toconventional packaging systems for strawberries, the packaging system 10also better helps prevent and/or minimize damage and bruising of thestrawberries. Farmers are then able to pack softer and more ripe fruit,rather than having to pick under-ripe fruit that is hard and pickedearly so that it can better survive transport.

The packaging system 10 is particularly suited for hydroponically farmedstrawberries. One reason for this is that hydroponically farmedstrawberries are picked by pickers in a standing position. Thestrawberries are picked, and directly placed in the containers 11. Thepackaging system 10 provided enables the transportation of just-pickedstrawberries to pre-cooling facilities in a rapid fashion compared totraditional picking and packing. By arriving quickly to the pre-coolingfacility, the strawberries reach a point of stasis (akin to hibernation)in an accelerated fashion thereby maximizing quality as discussed above.

Although described in connection with these embodiments, those of skillin the art will recognize that changes can be made in form and detailwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A packaging system for strawberries, comprising:a box having a tray and two short sidewalls and two long sidewallsextending from a perimeter of the tray to form a cavity, the two shortsidewalls having a plurality of slots that open up to the cavity; aplurality of containers configured to be disposed within the cavity,each container having a top lid, a base portion, and a hinged spineconnecting the top lid to the base portion, the top lid includes aplurality of recessed vents, the base portion includes a plurality ofrecessed vents, the top lid and the base portion are configured to beremovably attached to one another by a coupling mechanism, in which thetop lid and the base portion form windows to allow air therethough whileremovably attached; and the recessed vents of the base portion and thetop lid and the windows are configured to align with the plurality ofslots in the two short sidewalls of the box to improve a precoolingprocess of strawberries.
 2. The packaging system according to claim 1,wherein the base portion includes a bottom, four beveled edges extendingtherefrom, and two short sidewalls and two long sidewalls extending fromthe beveled edges to form a compartment in the base portion to placestrawberries therein.
 3. The packaging system according to claim 2,wherein the bottom includes a raised bed.
 4. The packaging systemaccording to claim 2, wherein the recessed vents are disposed on thebeveled edges of the base portion.
 5. The packaging system according toclaim 2, wherein the beveled edges of the base portion include two shortbeveled edges and two long beveled edges.
 6. The packaging systemaccording to claim 5, wherein the short beveled edges of the baseportion include two to four recessed vents and the long beveled edgesinclude six to ten recessed vents.
 7. The packaging system according toclaim 1, wherein the top lid includes a cover and four beveled edgesextending therefrom.
 8. The packaging system according to claim 7,wherein the beveled edges of the top lid includes two short bevelededges and two long beveled edges.
 9. The packaging system according toclaim 8, wherein the short beveled edges of the top lid includes two tofour recessed vents and the long beveled edges include six to tenrecessed vents.
 10. The packaging system according to claim 7, whereinthe cover is rectangular in shape and has a vent hole disposed at eachcorner of the cover.
 11. The packaging system according to claim 7,wherein the cover includes a protrusion at each corner of the coverconfigured to align with an outer perimeter of the raised bed of thebase portion of a second container.
 12. The packaging system accordingto claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism is button locks.
 13. Thepackaging system according to claim 12, wherein male button locks aredisposed on an interior surface of the top lid and female button locksconfigured to correspond with the male button locks are disposed on anupper surface of the base portion.
 14. The packaging system according toclaim 13, wherein the upper surface of the base portion further includesa plurality of edge support bars configured to be placed into contactwith the interior surface of the top lid when the top lid is removablyattached to the bottom portion forming the windows between the top lidand the base portion.
 15. The packaging system according to claim 14,wherein one of the edge support bars is centrally disposed on three ofthe side walls of the base portion.
 16. The packaging system accordingto claim 15, wherein two additional edge support bars are disposed onopposite ends of the spine.
 17. The packaging system according to claim1, wherein the box includes a first layer of four adjacent containersand a second layer of four adjacent containers stacked thereon.
 18. Thepackaging system according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of slotsdisposed on the short side walls of the box are disposed in three rows,an upper row includes two slots separated by a tab, the upper rowconfigured to align with the windows and vents of the second layer ofcontainers, a middle row includes two slots, the middle row configuredto align with the windows and/or vents of the first and second layer ofcontainers, and a lower row includes two slots, the lower row configuredto align with the vents of the first layer of containers.
 19. Thepackaging system according to claim 17, wherein the packaging systemincludes a plurality of the boxes stacked on one another.
 20. Thepackaging system according to claim 19, wherein each of the plurality ofboxes stacked on one another includes a first layer of four adjacentcontainers and a second layer of four adjacent containers stackedthereon.